February, 2002

Ice Storm

©  by  Nancy Gotter Gates

The glory of the unexpected sight
Of fairy twig and bush and phantom tree
Transforms what was an ordinary night
Into the realm of dreams and mystery.
The limbs are sheathed in winter's fragile glaze
As though encased in crystal-like cocoon.
But when the morning sun arrives ablaze
It starts the thawing process all too soon.
The ice surrenders to its fiery stare
And yields its firmness to relentless heat.
The sun, before it burns the branches bare,
Has conjured rainbow prisms as our treat.
Oh mighty sun, how clever is your ploy:
Distract with beauty while you would destroy.

Previously published in the North Carolina Poetry Society's
Award Winning Poems 2001
and used with the permission of the Poet.

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